Cash in the Flash

Ryan Clifford

This thesis exhibition studies the visual characteristics and iconography of fringe economies in Baltimore, Maryland. The project began by looking at the massive local bail bonds industry and has expanded to include local pawn shops and check cashing outlets. These three categories are intrinsically related, as they all serve a cash-based or cash-only economy through the dispensing of short-term, collateral-based loans. Collateral can range from post-dated checks, jewelry, and electronic items to vehicle and property titles. Bail bonds, pawn shops, and check cashing outlets have many shared characteristics, and many of the customers they serve are in the same socio-economic demographic. They offer both legitimate service in time of need while carrying great financial risk. As our national economic crisis continues to deepen, more and more people are forced to turn to the fringe economy to survive.